Chia seeds are little black seeds from a plant family related to mint. They don’t taste anywhere near minty, though.
These scrumptious little seeds are used in a plethora of food items, ranging from nut bars to juices to even jam and pudding, as stated by Nuts.com.
What makes them amazing isn’t just this. Their true strength lies in the enormous nutritional value they provide.
As a matter of fact, they contain all nine essential amino acids and a whole lot of fiber, as pointed out by Healthline.
You might have already binge-bought a lot of chia seeds after hearing about their health benefits. However, you can only use so much in the delectable jams, puddings and nut bars.
As a result, a question might pop up, ‘Do chia seeds go bad?’ Well, carry on reading to make the most of your chia seeds’ shelf life.
How Long Do Chia Seeds Last? Do Chia Seeds Go Bad?
To answer the basic question, chia seeds do go bad but not really. To elaborate, by the time chia seeds go bad, they will most probably be consumed.
They last 1-2 years in the pantry, 3+ years if stored in the refrigerator and up to 10 years if frozen. The Best By date for chia flour is over 1 year in the pantry.
These figures are exceptional in terms of seed longevity and a far cry from sunflower seeds or sesame seeds, or even pumpkin seeds.
This explains the initial statement, meaning that by the time chia seeds fully expire, they will most likely have been consumed.
The main reason other seeds go bad earlier is because they turn rancid quicker than chia seeds. Chia seeds last longer because of their antioxidants, whereas other seeds lack them.
One thing to note is that chia seed products get worse longevity due to the numerous ingredients used in making them.
Take chia pudding for example. It lasts a fair amount of time but not multiple years.
How to Tell If Chia Seeds are Bad? Chia Seeds Shelf Life!
Chia seeds have a few discernable signs of spoilage. It is best to watch out for these indications:
- Bitter taste
- A strange aroma instead of the usual smell
- Any apparent growths on the seeds
That said, chia seeds rarely tend to be around long enough to go bad. The most common change is rancidity. Rancidity occurs due to contact with air.
What it does is reduce the nutritional content of the seeds and give them a mildly bitter flavor. This change occurs naturally in almost all seeds, like flax seeds.
Furthermore, since chia seeds last so long, there is no definite expiry date. A general guideline would be to keep the expiry date in mind and keep giving the seeds a taste test every few weeks.
In the event you do notice something off, it is better not to take any risks and just dispose of the seeds.
Conclusion
Chia seeds are something to be revered when searching for long-lasting food items.
With their high nutritional intake, versatility and longevity, they might just be the most efficient seed to produce.
Nonetheless, any edible can go bad, which is why you need to be cautious before consuming anything.
How Long Do Chia Seeds Last? Do Chia Seeds Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Chia seeds
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Check the u0022Best-by-dateu0022 to know when it expires.
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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